“ANA Aeroportos de Portugal informs all its passengers and other airport users that a strike has been called by air traffic control (NAV, EPE) for May 17, 18, 24 and 25, between 06h00/08h00 , 13h00/15h00 and 20h00/22h00 affecting all air traffic.  ANA recommends that all passengers confirm their flights with the airline company, its local representative or travel agent before making their way to the airport.” 

TAP Airline and EasyJet have cancelled over 153 flights for May 17-18.   No inbound or outbound flights to the United States have been cancelled, although travel to/from major European cities could be delayed or cancelled.

There is no trip cancellation information for flights scheduled for May 24-25. The following links can be used to obtain up-to-date information regarding the strikes as well as flight cancellations or delays:

ANA: http://www.ana.pt/portal/page/portal/ANA/

United: http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/travel/flightstatus/default.aspx

TAP: http://www.tapportugal.com/Info/en/Homepage

EasyJet: http://easyjet.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/3970

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Portugal are encouraged to register with the Embassy through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, to obtain updated travel and security information. Registration is important; it allows the Embassy and the State Department to assist you in an emergency.

Should you encounter an emergency situation, do not hesitate to contact the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon.

The U.S. Embassy in Lisbon is located on Avenida das Forcas Armadas, in the neighborhood of Sete Rios near the Jardim Zoológico. Telephone: (351) 21 727-3300; fax: (351) 21 726-9109; Internet home page: http://lisbon.usembassy.gov/. The emergency after hours telephone number is (351) 21 770-2222.

The U.S. Consulate in the Azores is located in the city of Ponta Delgada on the Island of Sao Miguel. The address is Av. Principe do Monaco, 6-2F, tel: (351) 296 282-216, fax: (351) 296 287-216.

The school said 26 students were traveling in three vans on their way to walk the Tongariro Crossing, a hike across a volcanic crater that is rated as one of New Zealand’s most spectacular. One of the minivans drifted to the side of the road around 7:30 a.m., then rolled when the driver tried to correct course near the North Island vacation town of Taupo, New Zealand police said….Study abroad program executive director Bernd Widdig called the deaths were the worst tragedy to hit the program since it began in the 1980s.”

More than any other cause of injury or fatality, road accidents pose the biggest threat to American travelers. According to a USA Today analysis:

About 1,820 Americans, almost a third of all Americans who died of non-natural causes while abroad, have been reported killed in road accidents in foreign countries from Jan. 1, 2003, through June 2010. On average, one American traveler dies on a foreign road every 36 hours.”

While we can all take precautions to prevent or avoid road accidents, as the world’s population grows and streets become more crowded, the statistics may get worse before they get better. To protect yourself financially from potential medical evacuation costs, doctor’s bills, or worse yet, repatriation costs associated with such an accident, we provide affordable travel medical insurance specifically designed to cover you while overseas.

Please contact a Client Advisor today for more information about this valuable insurance. Be sure to also ask for a free quote. Some of our plans start at under $1 a day.

In the meantime, please keep the students and the families involved in your thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.

If you are a Roundtrip travel insurance policy holder and are traveling to Europe this Easter weekend, then please contact your travel supplier for current travel delays.  While traveling, if your flight is delayed or cancelled, then please contact the 24 hour telephone assistance number on your ID card for live travel assistance.

If you need a travel insurance quote or have questions regarding your existing policy, then please contact us at (800) 647-4589 or (480) 821-9052 and speak to one of our Client Advisors. Safe Travels!

We all have dream honeymoon destinations. Some of you may want to spend your honeymoon enjoying nature and wildlife, while some prefer a more romantic atmosphere filled with nights out on the town exploring local fare, and even some just want a relaxing seaside getaway. I’ve been researching honeymoon destinations for a family member recently and am amazed at the options; here are my top picks based on the type of couple you are:

Vietnam for Nature and Adventure Lovers
Even though I was born and raised in Vietnam, I can’t say I’ve adequately experienced all the natural beauty of my homeland—each time I return home, I seem to find something new to admire. So if you are looking for a place to enjoy nature, smell the fresh sea air, experience various types of seafood, tropical fruits, challenge your motorcycle skills and more, put Vietnam on your short list of honeymoon destinations. A recent article I read describes the country as “a world where the colors are more vivid, where the landscapes are bolder, the coastline more dramatic, where the history is more compelling, where the tastes are more divine, where life is lived in the fast lane.” I couldn’t agree more.

Here are some amazing places I recommend visiting if you decide to honeymoon in Vietnam:

Ha Long Bay is one of the world’s natural wonders, and is the most beautiful tourist destination in Vietnam. “Ha Long” means “Bay of Descending Dragons.”

Phu Quoc Island is also called the Pearl Island. It is the biggest island in Vietnam and is the most popular travel destination in Vietnam.

Nha Trang Bay is surrounded on all three sides by mountains and widely considered among the world’s most beautiful bays. It is also well known for its beautiful beaches as well as its variety of activities, such as scuba diving and snorkeling.

The Netherlands for History Buffs and Flower Lovers
I call The Netherlands my second homeland, where I spent my unforgettable college years. The Netherlands is a small country with a lot of history and beautiful sightseeing. Should you want to learn new history, visit museums, enjoy riding bicycles and see the world largest flower garden, Keukenhof, during your honeymoon, The Netherlands is absolutely your best choice.

I never experienced so many flowers with so many colors in my life until I visited Keukenhof! It was an experience I hope you all get to enjoy at least once in your life. Keukenhof is the place to see spring blossom. The park bursts with the color and fragrance of over seven million flowers and has been one of the most popular destinations in The Netherlands for sixty years now.

Sedona, Arizona for Wildlife Lovers
I have to say I’m a lucky person—not many people can claim three homelands. Besides Vietnam and the Netherlands, the United States is now my permanent residence and my “third homeland.” I haven’t yet been able to visit too many beautiful places in the US, but I can proudly say that I have been in one of the most memorable places in the world, Sedona, Arizona.

Unlike any place I have visited in Vietnam or the Netherlands, Sedona is unique with its world-famous Red Rocks—stunning red sandstone formations which seem to glow in brilliant red and orange hues at the rising and setting of the sun. These rocks attract visitors from all over the world while top-notch resorts and spas pamper guests seeking a bit of relaxation. For the active-minded, Sedona offers hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails and famous Pink Jeep tours to help visitors get a better view of the rugged and beautiful terrain. If you are wildlife lovers, you should definitely consider Sedona for your honeymoon.

Top-Ranked Destinations for 2012
The recommendations above are all places I’ve been to personally. Of course, there are many more places I would like to visit and recommend. Places like these top-ranked 2012 honeymoon destination: Bali, Japan, India, Hawaii, US Virgin Islands, Cancun, Bahamas, Italy, Spain and France.

Good luck with your honeymoon travel plans! May you have a beautiful start to your new lives together, no matter where in this world you decide to start!

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and about threats to themselves and to U.S. interests in those locations. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when planning travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. This replaces the Travel Warning issued June 22, 2011, to update information on the general security environment.

The Gaza Strip and Southern Israel
The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, which is under the control of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. American citizens in Gaza are advised to depart immediately. The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt allows for some passenger travel, though coordination with local authorities – which could take days or weeks to process – is reportedly required. Travelers who enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing from Egypt must also exit through the Rafah crossing. The Israeli authorities do not permit such travelers to exit through the Erez crossing into Israel except in situations of extreme humanitarian need. Travelers entering the Gaza Strip may not be able to depart at a time of their choosing. Delays of days or weeks are common. U.S. citizens should be aware that as a consequence of a longstanding prohibition on travel by U.S. citizen employees of the U.S. Government into the Gaza Strip, the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens there is extremely limited, including the provision of routine consular services.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strictly controls the crossing points between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The security environment within Gaza, including its border with Egypt and its seacoast, is dangerous and volatile. U.S. citizens are advised against traveling to Gaza by any means, including via sea. Previous attempts to enter Gaza by sea have been stopped by Israeli naval vessels and resulted in the injury, death, arrest, and deportation of U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens participating in any effort to reach Gaza by sea should understand that they may face arrest, prosecution, deportation and the confiscation of their personal items by the Government of Israel. The Government of Israel has announced its intention to seek ten-year travel bans to Israel for anyone participating in an attempt to enter Gaza by sea. On May 31, 2010, nine people were killed, including one U.S. citizen, in such an attempt. The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem are not able to provide consular assistance in Gaza or on the high seas or coastal waters.

Small clashes continue to occur along the boundary of the Gaza Strip. Rockets and mortars are still fired into Israel from Gaza, and Israel continues to conduct military operations inside Gaza, including airstrikes. Israel has also declared an exclusion zone inside Gaza along its boundary with Israel and has taken lethal measures against individuals who enter it.

In the past, some rockets have traveled more than 40 km (24 miles) from Gaza and landed as far north as Yavne and Gadera and as far east as Beer Sheva. As a result of possible military operations by the Government of Israel in Gaza and the ever-present risk of rocket and mortar attacks into Israel from Gaza, U.S. government personnel traveling in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip boundary, to include the city of Sderot, must make prior notification to the Embassy’s Regional Security Office. U.S. citizens in the area should be aware of the risks and should take note of announcements by the Government of Israel’s office of Homefront Command.

Israeli authorities have also maintained a heightened state of alert along Israel’s border with Egypt since an August 18, 2011, terrorist attack that killed eight and injured nearly 40 along Route 12 north of Eilat. As a result of the heightened threat in the area, U.S. government personnel must notify the Regional Security Office if they plan to travel south of Beer Sheva.

The West Bank
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to exercise caution when traveling to the West Bank. Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces are now deployed in all major cities and other limited areas within the West Bank. As a result, violence in recent years has decreased markedly throughout the West Bank. Nonetheless, demonstrations and violent incidents can occur without warning. Vehicles have also been the target of rocks, Molotov cocktails, and gunfire on West Bank roads. The IDF continues to carry out security operations in the West Bank. Israeli security operations, including incursions in Palestinian population centers, can occur at any time and lead to disturbances and violence. U.S. citizens can be caught in the middle of potentially dangerous situations. Some U.S. citizens involved in demonstrations in the West Bank have sustained serious injuries in confrontations with Israeli security forces. The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens, for their own safety, avoid demonstrations.

During periods of unrest, the Israeli Government sometimes closes off access to the West Bank and those areas may be placed under curfew. All persons in areas under curfew should remain indoors to avoid risking arrest or injury. U.S. citizens have been killed, seriously injured, or detained and deported as a result of encounters with Israeli operations in the West Bank. Travel restrictions may be imposed by the Government of Israel with little or no warning. Strict measures have frequently been imposed following terrorist actions, and the movement of Palestinian-Americans, both those with and without residency status in the West Bank or Gaza, has been severely impeded. Security conditions in the West Bank can hinder the ability of consular staff to offer timely assistance to U.S. citizens.

Jerusalem
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain vigilant while traveling throughout Jerusalem, including in commercial and downtown areas of West Jerusalem. Spontaneous or planned protests within the Old City are possible, especially after Friday prayers. Some of these protests have led to violent clashes. Travelers should exercise caution at religious sites on holy days, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Isolated street protests and demonstrations can also occur in areas of East Jerusalem, including around Salah Ed-Din Street, Damascus Gate, Silwan, and the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. U.S. Government employees are prohibited from entering the Old City on Fridays during the month of Ramadan due to overall congestion and security-related access restrictions. U.S. citizen employees of the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General and their families are prohibited from using public transportation networks, including buses and light rail services, and their associated terminals.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Personnel
Personal travel in the West Bank for U.S. government personnel and their families is allowed in the areas described below. They may travel to Bethlehem from 6:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.; to Jericho; and transit through the West Bank using only Routes 1 and 90 to reach the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge or the Dead Sea coast near Ein Gedi and Masada. They may also travel north on Route 90 from the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge to the Sea of Galilee during daylight hours. Personal travel is also permitted to Qumran off Route 90 by the Dead Sea and all areas south of Highway 1 and east of route 90 in the Dead Sea area.

U.S. Government personnel and family members are permitted both official and personal travel on Route 443 between Modi’in and Jerusalem. All other personal travel in the West Bank, unless specifically authorized for mission-approved purposes, is prohibited.

General Safety and Security
Israeli authorities remain concerned about the continuing threat of terrorist attacks. U.S. citizens are cautioned that a greater danger may exist around restaurants, businesses, and other places associated with U.S. interests and/or located near U.S. official buildings, such as the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. U.S. citizens are also urged to exercise a high degree of caution and to use common sense when patronizing restaurants, nightclubs, cafes, malls, places of worship, and theaters, especially during peak hours. Large crowds and public gatherings have been targeted by terrorists in the past and should be avoided to the extent practicable. U.S. Government personnel have been directed to avoid protests and demonstrations and urged to maintain a high level of vigilance and situational awareness at all times. U.S. citizens should take into consideration that public buses and their respective terminals are off-limits to U.S. Government personnel.

Since December 2009, two U.S. citizens have been murdered in separate incidents while walking in the woods in the Beit Shemesh area near Jerusalem. Israeli authorities characterized the murders as terrorist attacks.

A bomb blast near the Central Bus Terminal in Jerusalem on March 23, 2011, injured several U.S. citizens.

There are live land mines in many areas of the Golan Heights, so visitors should walk only on established roads or trails. Near the northern border of Israel, rocket attacks from Lebanese territory can and have occurred without warning.

A terrorist attack on two commercial buses and two private vehicles on Route 12 north of Eilat killed eight and injured nearly 40 on August 18, 2011.

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risk of travel to Mali, and recommends against all travel to the north of the country due to threats of attacks and kidnappings of Westerners. In addition, the National Movement for Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA) and other armed groups have attacked several locations in the north and engaged in battles with the Malian military. The conflict has sparked civil disturbances and attacks against ethnic minority groups in Bamako and other cities in the south. U.S. citizens are also advised that presidential and legislative elections scheduled to take place in April-July may result in increased civil disturbances. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning for Mali dated October 4, 2011, to update information on events in Northern Mali, and to inform U.S. citizens of the upcoming presidential and legislative elections.

If you are traveling to Mali or a politically unstable region, please contact an Insurance Services of America Client Advisor or call us at (800) 647-4589 to review your international insurance. We can insure you for political evacuation, kidnapping and ransom and emergency medical care.

On January 17, National Movement for Liberation of the Azawad (MNLA) rebel forces attacked a National Guard installation in Menaka, near the Nigerien border in the eastern Gao Region. Conflict continues in the north of Mali between the MNLA, other armed groups, and the Malian military. MNLA has conducted attacks upon Anderamboukane and Menaka in Gao region, Léré in Timbuktu region, and Tessalit and Aguelhok in Kidal region. Private citizens have not been targeted, but the MNLA has indicated that it intends to conduct military operations across northern Mali.

Presidential elections are scheduled for April 29, and legislative elections on July 1. Increasing political tension may result in demonstrations during the elections period and the results announcement. U.S. citizens are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations as they have the potential to turn violent.

As noted in the Department of State’s Worldwide Caution dated January 24, the terrorist group al-Qaida in the Maghreb (AQIM) has declared its intention to attack Western targets throughout the Sahel (which includes Mali, Mauritania, and Niger). It has claimed responsibility for kidnappings, attempted kidnapping, and the murder of several Westerners throughout the region. The U.S. Embassy in Bamako has issued several emergency messages for U.S. citizens regarding these threats, as have the U.S. Embassies in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Nouakchott, Mauritania, and Niamey, Niger.

On November 25, 2011 a German national was killed and a three other foreign nationals were kidnapped in the city of Timbuktu. On November 24, 2011, two French nationals were kidnapped in Hombori, in eastern Mali. AQIM claimed responsibility for the death and kidnappings. On January 5, 2011, an individual claiming connections to AQIM attacked the French Embassy in Bamako with a handgun and an improvised-explosive device, injuring two persons. Four of these people are still being held hostage by AQIM. In July 2010, AQIM executed a French hostage in retaliation for the killing of six AQIM members during a Mauritanian-launched hostage rescue operation with French assistance in northern Mali.

AQIM has also claimed responsibility for several terrorist incidents against Westerners (bombings, murders, and/or kidnappings) in neighboring Mauritania and Niger.

In addition, the threat posed by AQIM, sporadic banditry, and the porous nature of Mali’s northern borders with Algeria, Niger, and Mauritania all reinforce longstanding security concerns affecting travel to northern Mali.

The Department of State notes that the U.S. Embassy in Bamako has designated northern regions of Mali as “restricted without prior authorization” for purposes of travel by U.S. government employees, contractors, grantees, and their dependents. Prior to traveling to these areas, U.S. government employees in Mali are required to have the written approval of the U.S. Ambassador to Mali. This designation is based on the presence of AQIM, as well as banditry in the region. This restriction does not apply to travelers who are not associated with the U.S. government, but should be taken into account when planning travel. The restriction is in effect for the regions of Kidal, Gao, and Timbuktu.

U.S. citizens are specifically reminded that these areas include the Timbuktu site of the popular Festival au Desert music festival, as well as the sites in the regions of Kidal and Gao where many other musical and cultural festivals are traditionally held between December and February. It should be noted that – in addition to the potential terrorist and criminal threats – these festivals are located in particularly remote locations, and the Malian authorities would have extreme difficulty rendering assistance should an emergency occur at any of them.

Graham Bates, the owner and president, enlisted in the Air Force and served in the Vietnam War. Additionally, one of our Client Advisors and Graham’s son, Aaron Bates is also a veteran of the Armed Forces and served for the elite US Special Operations.

We are very grateful for the sacrifice of all our soldiers and families and service personnel protecting our country.

You can see our VOB listing here:

If you have purchased an international health insurance policy form Insurance Services of America and need medical assistance, please contact the 24 hour worldwide telephone assistance number located on your ID Card. Prior to departure, we recommend completing the US State Department’s Smart Traveler Program. Even if you are traveling in a group, take time to be concerned about your personal safety and security.

We want our clients to remain and return safe. Here are some practical pre-departure tips:

1. Contact a travel doctor 4 to 6 weeks prior to your departure date to allow time for vaccinations to take effect. If you are going on a Spring Break mission trip, then make an appointment to see your travel doctor as soon as possible.
2. There are currently no required vaccinations for US citizens to enter into Haiti but the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends you have your routine MMR and tetanus vaccinations along with Hepatitis A and B. The CDC also recommends taking a Malaria prophylactic. You can always view a current list of recommended vaccinations online at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/haiti.htm.
3. Since October 2010, a cholera outbreak has spread across the country, and CDC has issued an outbreak notice regarding cholera. The best prevention of cholera is to not drink unfiltered water, eat any food that is made with unfiltered water and it is advisable to not wash with unfiltered water. For more tips download “5 Basic Cholera Prevention Messages” online at http://www.cdc.gov/haiticholera/pdf/cholera_preventionmessages.pdf.

Medical Facilities and The Importance of Travel Medical Insurance for Your Trip to Haiti
The US State Department warns:

You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

1. Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States? Are there banned countries?
2. Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular US health insurance may not cover doctor and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out travel medical insurance for your trip. The US Embassy does not have funds appropriated to cover private citizens’ medical expenses.

Medical facilities in Haiti are scarce and for the most part sub-standard. Life-threatening emergencies often require evacuation to a higher standard of care. Even the most cautious travelers can get sick or injured in an unforeseen accident. We always recommend contacting your current insurance company and asking if they coordinate emergency medical evacuation outside the US. If your current insurance policy does not give you peace of mind, then contact a Client Advisor at Insurance Services of America for an affordable travel medical insurance policy.

US Embassy Information:
Address: Tabarre 41, Boulevard, 15 Octubre in Port-au-Prince
Website: http://portauprince.usembassy.gov/
Phone: +(509) 2-229-8000
Email: acspap@state.gov
You can find recent messages posted to US Citizens from the embassy online at: http://haiti.usembassy.gov/service/us-citizen-services/warden-messages.html

Haitian Currency
The official currency of Haiti is the Gourde, (approximately 40 gourdes to the US dollar). An unofficial currency known as the “Haitian dollar” is also used in local establishments (one Haitian dollar is equivalent to five Gourdes.)

Security Concerns
Prior to the quake, Port-Au-Prince was considered one of the most dangerous cities in the Western hemisphere. While accurate statistics regarding crime rates since January 2010 are unavailable, the risk is believed to be high; law enforcement is unlikely to be able to response to the majority of incidents and insecurity runs high. We advise you know your organization’s security measures and know the procedures for a medical as well as non-medical crisis.

Physicians’ Advice
To have the most benefit, see a doctor at least 4-6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect. If you are leaving sooner, it is still important to see a doctor as soon as possible for vaccines, medications and information about how to protect yourself from illness and injury while traveling.

Your doctor will make specific recommendations, depending on your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, planned activities and other factors. If your travel plans will take you to more than one country during a single trip, be sure to let your health-care provider know. Long-term travelers, such as those who plan to work or study abroad, may also need additional vaccinations as required by their employer or school.

If you have a chronic medical condition, share your travel plans with any doctors who are currently treating you.

Your doctor can give you important advice and prescribe vaccines and medications to help you stay safe while traveling abroad. The chart below shows vaccinations and medications you and your physician may wish to consider before travel to Haiti. This is not an exhaustive list, your doctor or team leader might suggest additional precautions so you will be free from worrying and be able to focus on serving.

For more tips for traveling safely abroad, visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html

Traveling and serving abroad will change your life. Stay safe and happy travels.

If you’re ever headed overseas or even traveling within the US, please call us at (800) 647-4589 or ask a Client Advisor for a free quote. This insurance is surprisingly affordable and can help alleviate situations just like these poor folks are experiencing now.